2018 Subaru Crosstrek problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (63) · Engine (18) · Electrical System (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Crosstrek model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
117 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Suspension:rear 2021-04-15 · campaign 21V263000 · 408,271 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Risk: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
Electrical System:software 2021-04-15 · campaign 21V264000 · 466,205 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Electrical System:software 2019-10-18 · campaign 19V743000 · 466,205 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2019-10-17 · campaign 19V744000 · 205,000 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
Service Brakes 2017-11-07 · campaign 17V701000 · 2,367 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.
Risk: If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.
Service bulletins (523)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 523 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-02 · Wheels“wheel studs, continually shearer off because of mismatched threads between bolt and nuts common problem among a lot of of subaru…”
2026-07-07 · Engine“on 06/26/26, while traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power in active traffic due to a blown out/melted cylinder 4 ignition coil. this unexpected engine failure forced raw fuel into the exhaust system, causing an immediate internal thermal meltdown of the catalytic converter, rendering the vehicl…”
2026-04-25 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“2018 subaru crosstrek rapidly accelerated unexpectedly while pulling into a parking space with the foot on the brake. hit a concrete pole and sustained vehicle damage and injuries.…”
2026-03-20 · Electrical System“3/3!2026 while driving heat stop working. called milea saburu spoke to christian made an appointment for 3/5/2026 they had nothing sooner. told her what happened. brought in they gave me loaner 12 days later on 3/18/2026 pick up car. paid bill they told me everything done no problems. i would get my 250 dollars for the car back in 30 days. even …”
2026-03-11 · Engine“dangerous stall in traffic due to ignition coil failure. ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced during the wre21 recall campaign only 13k miles ago back in 2021. stopped at red light awaiting to turn left when the vehicle started shaking violently. no check engine light came on though. when the light turned green, the vehicle was barely a…”
2026-03-10 · Suspension“starting at around 75,000 mileage on my 2018 subaru crosstrek, a persistent howling noise is heard while driving. this noise comes from the rear of the vehicle and occurs at nearly all driving speeds, measuring at around 90.0db while on a highway (a dangerous level for prolonged exposure). a service shop and the dealership have both diagnosed the…”
2026-03-04 · Exterior Lighting · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 subaru crosstrek. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlight warning light illuminated, and the contact noticed that the passenger's side led headlight had become inoperable. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a headlight assembly replacement was recommended. the vehicle…”
2026-02-27 · Unknown Or Other“wheel bearing issue in 2018 subaru crosstrek identified by subaru but not full recall we were not informed risk rear wheels will fall off contacted subaru advocacy after determining the backing plate was modified due to risk of failure internet indicated courtesy repair for vehicles under 100,000 miles with new corrected part repair was denied with…”
2026-02-14 · Power Train“vehicle was maintained by dealer and out of the blue, started bucking intermittently while driving resulting in an unsafe driving experience. took it to the dealer to evaluate, told us, "they could change the transmission fluid and filter to see if that fixes the problem." they were not sure that would fix the issue. after researching issue, saw th…”
2025-11-19 · Visibility/Wiper“the front windshield spontaneously developed a crack about 5 inches long which later suddenly increased to about 15 inches in length. it is our understanding that this problem has occurred in the windshields of other subaru models. the internet states that subaru windshields have had a tendency to crack without impact due to the windshield's angle…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.